2023 Tesla Model 3 body & structure problems

Related recalls

• Recall 24V554000Jul 24, 20241,849,638 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

  Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2024 Model Y vehicles. The hood latch assembly may fail to detect an unlatched hood condition after the hood has been opened.

  Risk: An unlatched hood can fully open, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-012.

What owners say

1. Filed Jul 7, 2026AZ1 injuredBody & Structure

   Vehicle: Tesla Model 3 Issue: Power trunk failed to detect obstruction Date of incident: July 5, 2026 Location: Surprise, AZ During normal use of the vehicle, my child pressed the “close trunk” button while I was leaning into the trunk area. The powered trunk began closing and did not stop when it made contact with my head. Instead of reversing direction, the trunk continued applying downward force until I moved out of the way. This indicates a failure of the trunk’s…

   NHTSA complaint #11748682 · source
2. Filed Jun 23, 2026FLCrashFireTowedAirbagsBody & StructureDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   A fatal crash occurred involving a 2023 Tesla Model 3. The vehicle departed the roadway, impacted a guardrail, struck a utility pole on the driver’s side, rolled down an embankment, and came to rest upright. The crash resulted in catastrophic intrusion into the driver’s compartment and a fatal injury to the driver. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate the crashworthiness and occupant protection performance of this vehicle, including the structural integrity of the occupant…

   NHTSA complaint #11746034 · source
3. Filed May 21, 2026NVBody & Structure

   The roof glass is unusually susceptible to failing and cracking under minimal impact. A very small item such as a pebble impacted the roof. The glass cracked. I understand the roof glass is a structural component. I would not expect a roof to require complete replacement due to a minor pebble.

   NHTSA complaint #11739375 · source
4. Filed Mar 31, 2026CABody & StructureElectrical System

   I am reporting a serious safety incident involving a 2023 Tesla Model 3. On March 29 at approximately 5:00 PM, while driving on the freeway at about 65 mph, the right-side passenger door suddenly opened while the vehicle was in motion. The door had been fully closed and latched prior to driving. There was no impact, obstruction, or warning indicating that the door was not secure. The opening occurred unexpectedly during normal driving conditions, creating a significant…

   NHTSA complaint #11728177 · source
5. Filed Mar 20, 2026CABody & Structure

   Reporting a stress fracture in the front windhsield of my model 3 tesla. Looking online and speaking to attorney its a very common problem. Mine resulted simply from a heat wave it crack down the middle in a c shape emanating from the top edge of the windshield. No contact evidence and no contact or accident occurred. It’s now unsafe to drive my vehicle and tesla will not cover it under warranty. They are refusing to label it as a stress fracture though it clearly is. I’m…

   NHTSA complaint #11725899 · source
6. Filed Feb 23, 2026CABody & Structure

   The rear driver side door became impossible to open due to a trim piece failure - this is a safety hazard for rear seat passengers.

   NHTSA complaint #11719933 · source
7. Filed Feb 10, 2026CABody & Structure

   Tesla has completely removed the rear door manual release latch in my late 2023 Model 3 Performance. This elevates the concern of the ongoing NHTSA Defect Petition DP25002 (opened December 2025), which investigates similar issues with emergency egress controls on Model 3 vehicles, citing them as "hidden, unlabeled, and not intuitive." Again, in my late 2023 Model 3 Performance, these are entirely absent in the design. For some reason, Tesla has doubled down on the defect…

   NHTSA complaint #11717070 · source
8. Filed Jan 14, 2026CABody & Structure

   The entire bumper assembly fell off my Tesla Model 3 during the heavy rains on December 24. I didn't see it happen. It was just missing. But it may have happened on the freeway, when we drive through a flooded area. There is a history of this happening with this model when there is a lot of rain or you drive through a puddle. They admitted to this defect in 2020, but claim it was fixed. Apparently not. They are now telling me "we are unable to cover the repair under vehicle…

   NHTSA complaint #11710903 · source
9. Filed Sep 11, 202510 miCACrashBody & StructureDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System

   The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle and shifting to drive(D), the front trunk opened inadvertently, blocking the visibility of the roadway. The contact stated that the failure had recurred several times upon shifting to drive(D), which required the contact to exit the vehicle and manually close the trunk. The vehicle was taken to a Tesla service center and to Tesla Service Sunnyvale(680 E El Camino Real, Sunnyvale, CA…

   NHTSA complaint #11686613 · source
10. Filed Sep 5, 2025NH1 injuredBody & Structure

    While exiting the front passenger cut her leg on the door. It appears she contacted the inside bottom, rear edge of the door when closing. This cut her leg requiring immediate medical attention. It took several stitches to close the wound.

    NHTSA complaint #11685309 · source
11. Filed Jul 9, 202519,500 miCA1 injuredBody & Structure

    The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to open the trunk and the trunk inadvertently closed on the contact's finger. The contact was taken to a medical specialist and sustained an injury to a finger that required stitching, causing medical leave. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was…

    NHTSA complaint #11672299 · source
12. Filed Jun 19, 2025TN1 injuredBody & StructureOther / Unknown

    On June 4th I was in a hurry to get to work, pushed open my car door and started to slide in at which point the door unexpectedly to me swung back shut, clamping my head behind my ear pressing it against the top of the door frame. Everything stuck for about 1 second and then the door released my head. I am concerned that the door shouldn’t close so forcefully and should not bounce back closed when pushed open; that perhaps this contributed to the dangerous situation? There…

    NHTSA complaint #11667905 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology